HALF: Kentucky WBB Lead Mississippi State 35-32 in SEC Semifinals

It was a tale of two quarters for the Kentucky Wildcats, but they’ll take a 35-32 lead against the Mississippi State Bulldogs into the intermission of the semifinals at the 2020 SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament.

Behind 17 points from SEC Player of the Year Rhyne Howard, the ‘Cats shot 45 percent in the first quarter but that number dipped down to 38 percent in the second. Kentucky outscored MSU 22-12 in the first 10 minutes but the Bulldogs fought back, winning the second period 20-13.

Chasity Patterson hit a much-needed three right before the halftime buzzer that gave the ‘Cats the lead. She’s the second-highest Kentucky scorer with eight points.

Both Sabrina Haines and Jaida Roper went down with injuries during the same play in the second quarter. Neither player went to the locker room, but they did not come back into the game before the half ended.

Kentucky has forced MSU into seven turnovers, which they’ve converted into eight points. The Bulldogs control the edge on the glass, 17-14, but the ‘Cats are fighting hard despite being undersized and it’s paid off on a few possessions. 22 of MSU’s 32 points have come in the paint while 15 of Kentucky’s have come from distance.